An Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a torpedo from a United States submarine, marking the first time the US has destroyed an enemy ship via submarine since World War II. The vessel went down about 25 miles off Sri Lanka’s coast, with a large explosion captured in footage released by the US Department of War.

Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 sailors, with one in critical condition, while at least 100 crew members remain missing. Officials estimate that 80 people were killed in the attack, which comes amid rising tensions following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in joint US–Israeli strikes.

The US military confirmed it has destroyed 17 Iranian vessels since the conflict began, signaling an aggressive strategy against Iran’s navy. The IRIS Dena had been returning from joint exercises off India’s coast when it was struck. Pete Hegseth described the attack as a historic milestone for US naval operations.

Meanwhile, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting US military and diplomatic facilities across the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. In Dubai, a drone strike near the US Consulate caused a fire in a nearby parking area, but no injuries were reported, and all personnel were accounted for.